Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Economics 6

1. Critically discuss and analyze primary and secondary texts, recognizing key ideas and responding in both oral and written form;
   


2. Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate concepts studied in primary and secondary texts using intermediate to advanced critical thinking skills;
   


3. Compose developed, unified, stylistically competent writing assignments and adjust writing to the target audience with intermediate to advanced skill.
   

1.   Describe, analyze, and evaluate concepts, paradigms, and theories
      and institutions of political economy 
       a.   Compare trends, theories, and characteristics of two or
             more paradigms.
       b.   Critically analyze how these paradigms and theories relate
             to each other.
2.   Demonstrate the ability to think creatively, independently, and
      critically about issues in political economy by:
       a.   Using theories from paradigms within the course and
             debates to argue convincingly in defense of a position 
       b.   Selecting examples to illustrate points and organizing
             points of argument appropriately.
3.   Analyze and evaluate using research tools (to include primary texts,
      scholarly journals, secondary texts, current media and the internet)
      on how political economy affects socities and global community.
4.   Demonstrate, apply and synthesize understanding of fundamental
      problems in political economy through writing of original analytical
      and evaluative essays of four to six pages on issues such as trade,
      development, classes and social groups.
5.   Describe political economy systems in historical context, examining
      the justifications of the time and the consequences of the action.
6.   Demonstrate critical thinking ability including analysis and
      evaluation of data, and the understanding of alternative
      explanations and paradigms.

• Presentation of lectures and discussions on political economy including critical methods and individual biographies in order for students to understand the relationship of power, class and international political economy.
• Guest writers/lecturers invited to class to discuss topics political economy at the national and international level.
  Presentation, discussion, and detailed examination of case studies of national development plans, economic stages, and economic growth theories.
• Showing films, videos, slides, distributing handouts, and/or using electronic or computer-based media in order to reinforce understanding of concepts related to contending theories and paradigms in political economy and issues such as poverty, discrimination, and human deevelopment.
• Cooperative/collaborative learning tasks, simulations, and activities designed to assist students in activating, stimulating, and acting upon the resources of creativity within themselves.
• Individual conferences in order to evaluate and advise students on original writing or creative projects.
• Computer-assisted and/or web-enhanced instruction which reinforces the course content.

• A minimum of two significant pieces of formal academic writing beyond quizzes or examinations is required. 
• Individual and group assignments designed to demonstrate successful understanding and application of basic concepts and definitions in political economy.
• Questions on topics and content designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the key theories and paradigms.
• Quizzes/examinations designed to assess students’ ability to recall, critically analyze and apply key concepts and course content.
• Participation and regular attendance as required by instructor to ensure progress in mastering the course content and participation in collaborative learning projects.
• Final examination designed to assess students’ mastery of the essential concepts explored in the course.

• Frieden, Jeffrey and David Lake. International Political Economy: Perspectives on Global Power and Wealth. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1999.
• Lairson, Thomas and David Lake. International Political Economy: The Struggle for Power and Wealth. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002.
• Marx, Karl. Capital, any edition
  
  Smith, Adam, Wealth of Nations, any edition